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Photographs, 1950s-1986

 Series

Scope and Contents

This series encompasses Emile Bocian’s photographs, contact sheets, and negatives. Most of the items are from 1976-1986, although there are a few beginning in the mid-late 1950s through the early 1970s. In addition, there are a number of photographs, negatives, and contact sheets with no dates. The majority of the photographs are stamped “Emile Bocian Associates,” but there are a few marked "The China Post" so they were most likely used for the newspaper and Bocian’s public relations firm. The photographs cover a range of topics, such as beauty pageants, the graduation ceremony of Columbia University students, the New York Marathon, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Chinese-Americans in and around Chinatown, art exhibits, buildings and events in and around Chinatown, parades, and Chinese opera and dance. The bulk of the photographs are in black and white and measure 4” by 5” but there are a number of larger photographs. Around 800 images have been digitized, many of which are undated; a few of these images are from 1976. The digitized images vary between images of sports, policemen, protesters, parades, and children, among many other topics, in and around Chinatown, and again, most are in black and white. Specific images include Muhammad Ali (June 1977); Betty Lee Sung (May 1979); Chatham Square Liquor Store (May 1981); and W. M. Olliffe Apothecary (October 1982), all of which have been digitized. Additional specific images include an Easter Parade and a circus (April 1979); the Yu Ten Fu protest and South Street Seaport (May 1979); Mayor Ed Koch marching in a parade (September 1979); International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union and Chinese New Year (February 1981); the New York Marathon (October 1982); a jail protest and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 1982).

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1950s-1986

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

Some materials are in Chinese.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is unrestricted.

Extent

26 Linear Feet (Boxes 9-34 )

Arrangement

Arranged first in alphabetical order by type of audio-visual material and then in chronological order. Photographs are additionally arranged within each year (and box) by month

Repository Details

Part of the Museum of Chinese in America Repository

Contact:
70 Mulberry Street,2nd floor
New York NY 10013 USA